Photos Plane Graveyard

[Drone_pilot]

The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, within sight of Interstate
10, contains a storage facility known to many locals as the
“boneyard.” The facility functions as a holding place to store
planes until their ultimate fate has been determined.

It’s mostly Military Aircraft, from the Air Force and Navy. It’s
homes to F-16s, F-15, F-4s, F-18s, F-14s, A-10s, C-130s,
C-141s, B-52s, just to name a few. More recently, too recently
to be seen here, they added four B1-B bombers

Click on the link below

Click me

 

[Closed account 4734]

Nice! Saw a line of Canberra's (top left of boneyard, next to the line of A-10s), a line of HH-something helos and i'm sure I saw an old Air Force 1! So why are they there? Overstock (if such a thing is possible!)? Old age? Have planes from here ever been reconditioned and returned to service? Seems like a waste to me...

 

[rotorwash]

Because the humidity there is so low there is no corrosion. I have flown aircraft there to be mothballed. They go through a process of evaluation, in some cases engines and other components that have a long TBO (time before overhaul) are removed and put back in inventory. Other components like tires rot but they are easily replaced. Canopies and other openings are sealed with a preservative then covered. The airframes remain in excellant condition. I have known of aircraft being pulled from there, refurbished and used.

RW

 

[GunBunnyInaMAB]

Yeah, and if you're ever lucky enough to hit the lotto, you can buy your own fighter/bomber/helo/attack aircraft, and possibly rebuild it. It's been done before.

 

[rotorwash]

That's true, they have some that have been declared surplus and are for sale. Government agencies like states and counties can get them for free. I think Sheriff Joe needs a Cobra.

 

[GunBunnyInaMAB]

Either that, or a HIND-D Gunship. After all, there's nothing like a flying tank to get your point across!

I understand you can pick one up fairly cheap in any of the former Warsaw Pact countries, and with lots of spare parts too!!

 

[Closed account 4734]

Only if you re-paint it in GI Joe colours! (the 80's toy line, not the recent film) Wouldn't there be a HELL of a lot of red-tape if you wanted to rebuild one to own/fly as a private citizen? Is that even allowed?

If it is, i've got a list...!

 

[Gingie]

Did I hear correctly that the A-10's were going to be used as drones?

 

[GunBunnyInaMAB]

Yes, it's legal in America....

Ever heard of the Confederate Air Force? It's a bunch of pilots with privately owned wartime aircraft. They put on airshows all over the country (USA). They've got planes and helocopters from as early as WWI and as late as the GULF WAR.

There is also a guy who rebuilt a junked F-86 Sabre fighter jet, and used to travel around the country doing airshows as well.

Living just outside of the Washington,D.C. metropolitan area, I always thought it would be a real kick to fly into the Ronald Reagan National Airport at the controls of a refurbished Hind-D Gunship, painted soviet white, with a big red star on the side of the aircraft. I had an idea to build hollow mock-ups of hardpoint ordinance that would look like the bird was armed for bear, when in reality, they would actually be used as auxillery fuel tanks. The Airport Police would have a friggin' cow seeing something like that cruising in over the Potomac River!!!

laugh;laugh;

 

[Closed account 4734]

I can hear the radios now..."Erm, guys...? You remember that 80s film 'Red Dawn'? Well...it's not a film anymore!"

 

[Eagledriver]

GB, The correct name is the Commemorative Air Force.The HQ and museum is in West Texas just off interstate 20. I have some pics I'll try to post.

 

[GunBunnyInaMAB]

A rose by any other name?

solthumsolafGoogle Midland Airshow or Confederate Air Force. Is it the same unit you're referring to, or a different one? Seems we're both correct!!solafsolthum

 

[Eagledriver]

Well, I do guess you're right. We're both on the same page. BTW, I have more pics if I can remember how to do them.


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